MENUOur mission is to discover books that inspire Reading for Pleasure.
Top Titles
Each year our schools team read hundreds of books and choose a set of Top Titles with a range of themes and cultural and gender diversity to promote Reading for Pleasure.
Super Readables
We also know some children find reading long books more of a challenge so we have curated a list of Super Readable titles, shorter books which are still a good read.
What makes the cut?
The books on our lists are always...
a really good read
recently published
value for money
We look for varied characters, engaging plots, diverse authors, and a range of settings and story lines.
The Bookery Top Titles for 2025
Our Top Titles have become highly valued resources for schools as core library stock, introducing children (and teachers) to new titles.
The 24-book selection is available as a complete set, or divided into three bundles available to purchase individually:
PICTURE BOOKS (age 4+)
6-book bundle
Funny Bugs
Heaps of funny facts and lively artwork about the bug world’s most hilarious adaptations! Bugs have developed some of the strangest features and behaviours to survive day in and day out. Laugh out loud as you uncover the awesome science of the bug world. Meet the goofiest, the best dancers, the stinkiest, the funniest and more.
Maisie Jones And The Dinosaur Bones
When adventure-seeker Maisie Jones uncovers the bones of a never-before-seen dinosaur, she knows she’s made a BIG discovery. Until, that is, a professor claims it for himself! The race is on to prove it was Maisie Jones who found the dinosaur bones. Inspired by a real story! A fun fossil-filled adventure about standing up for your dreams.
The Mightiest Bite
Discover who has the mightiest bite in this hilarious competition between some of the biggest - and the smallest! - animals on Earth. A parade of animals compete, including a shark with its 300 teeth in rows, and a T-Rex with 60 huge bone-crunchers! Children will enjoy seeing the chaos unfold and deciding on which animal they think has the mightiest bite. They will also learn lots of facts about animals!
Penguin's Egg
Daddy Penguin finds himself adrift in an unfamiliar world, and he must get home for his egg! From train to helicopter, hot-air balloon to limousine, Daddy Penguin hitches lifts with kindly folk - but will he be home in time? A race against time for Daddy Penguin in this rhyming delight.
Holey Moley
Gus the Goat loves guessing and rhyming. So when he meets Mavis Mole, he can’t help himself trying to guess where she lives. Is it in a hole? In a bowl!? In a sausage roll?!! No, not quite… This super-silly HOLE- ARIOUS story is full of clever, playful rhyme and will have you laughing out loud and joining in with Gus Goat’s outlandish guessing game.
The Search For The Giant Arctic Jellyfish
Dr Morley is about to embark on a quest to the northernmost tip of the world, to discover a mysterious creature that everyone talks about but nobody has ever seen… the giant Arctic jellyfish. Could it be real? Or a myth? This delightful picture book sparkles with magical, playful exploration. Will Dr Morley achieve her lifelong dream?
SHORT CHAPTER BOOKS (age 7+)
6-book bundle
Watts & Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure
Watts takes a holiday to Whiskerton Manor whilst his detective parents are away. There he meets a curious cat with a nose for mysteries, and together they investigate a series of strange goings on at the manor… Who's been upending the rose bushes? Where did the amazing dinosaur bones come from? It looks like the two things might be connected. Can this dog and cat detective duo solve the mystery?
Do You Love Pets?
Some pets are cute and cuddly, some are slimy and others might be a bit bitey… Learn all about the world's oldest cat, what makes dogs pant and why chinchillas love dust baths in this guide to your furry, slimy, squeaky and squawky best friends. This is the perfect book for children who love pets, animals and fun facts.
Gordon The Meanest Goose On Earth
There are plenty of mean geese in the world, who hiss and honk and chase you, but Gordon is the meanest of them all. He stomps on sandcastles, knocks ice-creams out of hands, and punches sharks - he's the worst, and he loves it. But one day something extraordinary happens… Anthony the Piglet gives him a flower and Gordon's world begins to crumble. A really funny tale of courage, kindness and soggy bread.
Ivy Newt And The Storm Witch
It's Ivy's birthday, and her parents, the King and Queen of the Sand Witches, have prepared for her a magic act where they disappear! But hold on, they really have disappeared! Ivy and her shape-shifting friend Tom must find them. They travel all over Miracula on broomsticks and flying carpets, making friends along the way, seeking to defeat the evil Queen of Grotland.
Kevin The Vampire: A Most Mysterious Monster
Kevin is like any other eleven-year-old... apart from his fangs, being immortal and a vampire. He and his vampire family are on their way to Monstros City when, due to a dodgy batnav, they get stranded in a strange place full of humans. They plan a carnival to earn money but it appears that the town has a monstrous secret of its own: one that is very hungry and has just woken up! Can Kevin and Suzie save the day?
Fairy vs. Wizard: A Stink Adventure
Danny’s life hasn’t been the same since a REAL fairy flew out of a fairy door, attached herself to his hair and turned his life upside down. In this book, Stink (the worst fairy in the world) tries to help Danny with his lead role in the school play, makes a Malteser adventure playground in the science cupboard and accidentally unleashes a giant all-powerful wizard into the world. The second in the series and one of our favourites!
CONFIDENT READER (age 8+)
12-book bundle
Action Dude: Holiday On The Moon
Action Dude and his friends have won a trip to the new moon hotel, constructed by the famous billionaire Ted Banoffee. But before the rocket even takes off, a message flashes up on every TV from moon dweller Yalmus and his war-like people who are seriously unhappy about the colonisation of the moon. There’s only one possible solution – Action Dude to the rescue. Our favourite graphic novel series!
FACTopia!
Welcome to FACTopia!: a wonderland of crazily connected facts. Hop from topic to topic and discover extraordinary facts about space, bones, dinosaurs, goats, spiders, crocodiles, sharks, robots, Ancient Rome, kings and queens, pharaohs, and more. Every Britannica-verified fact in the book is connected to the next in an ingenious trail of information.
I Am Rebel
Rebel is Tom’s dog. His perfect life on the farm is shattered when the war which is raging through Britain comes too close. Tom is determined to join the rebellion to defeat the king’s men, but Rebel knows the dangers and will stop at nothing to save his beloved human. How can he bring Tom home before it’s too late? A heartwarming adventure told from the dog’s point of view as he travels across the war-torn countryside on his loyal mission.
The Secret Of Golden Island
Skylar and Yakov develop an unusual friendship when they spot a competition to win a nearby island which they think will be the answer to all of their problems. However it’s not as easy as it seems! First they have to get to the island, then they find themselves up against some very determined and cunning adults: there is an attempted murder, a secret tunnel and the dark. They need all their skills to survive.
Mysteries At Sea: The Royal Jewel Plot
Alice and Sonny have set sail on the luxurious yacht, the Lady Rose. Not only is the King of England on board, there is also a precious jewel, a rare opal, kept in a tank protected by a poisonous octopus. All is going well until Alice discovers both the opal and octopus are missing. The search is on to find the priceless gem before the ship reaches port, and there is serious trouble. As Alice and Sonny investigate, it seems that everyone on the Lady Rose has a secret, maybe even the king himself.
Call Of The Titanic
Young cabin steward, Sid, is proud to be working on the Titanic, the greatest liner ever built. Clara is a naughty 12-year-old stowaway on a smaller ship, the Carpathia. When she escapes from her hiding place she meets Rigel, a giant dog with special powers. The night the Titanic collides with an iceberg, it is the Carpathia that goes to the rescue. How might Sid’s rescue be connected to Rigel? A really exciting story, involving the last real-life survivor of the Titanic!
Stitch Head: The Graphic Novel
Deep in the dungeons of Castle Grotteskew, Professor Erasmus created Stitch Head, a small, almost-human creature. Stitch Head lies forgotten with the Professor busy with his other creations, until a travelling circus ringmaster knocks at the castle door, promising to make Stitch Head a star. Is this Stitch Head’s chance to venture beyond the castle walls? Or could he be making a terrible mistake…?
Black Hole Cinema Club
When Lucas meets his friends at the local cinema – ‘The Black Hole’ – they’re excited about the movie marathon ahead. Non-stop action, special effects and all the snacks they can eat. But as the lights go down, a jet-black tidal wave comes crashing out of the cinema screen and the children find themselves swept into an epic adventure... they are in a video game ‘for real’. Can they save the day before the credits roll?
The Island Vet - Pirates and Sea Monsters
Tia’s mum has a new job as the vet on Gull Haven Island and there are a lot of animals who need her help. When she’s called away to help a sickly cow on a nearby island and gets trapped there in a storm, Tia has to step up and care for the animals staying in the surgery. It’s a big responsibility and then she has to deal with a mysterious creature that washes up on the shore after the storm. Who is this creature and who does it belong to?
Stellar
Stella and her brother, Ryan, are on holiday in a Space Hotel orbiting Earth! Stella knows a great deal about space and loves looking at the stars and Planet Earth below. Ryan is bored and prefers to play video games about battles in space. Disaster strikes when Ryan’s equipment fails and he spins off into Deep Space. Can Stella’s knowledge about space and Ryan’s skills in gaming combine to help them get back to Earth?
When Saturday Comes
Daniel had a hard time after his parents split up and he had to move and start a new school. Joining the local under eleven’s football team brings new friendships and a sense of belonging. Then Dad comes back and wants to meet up with Daniel on Saturdays when the team plays its matches. Daniel, a great goal scorer, doesn’t want to let Dad or his team down, especially with important matches coming up. So what is he going to do? Will appeal to all football lovers in Years 4, 5 and 6
The Creature Of Killburn Mine
Another spooky tale in the popular Crooked Oak series. When a meteorite harbouring an alien life form crashes down near their village, the three friends, Peter, Nancy and Krish are determined to find it, but they are not alone. They notice one of their teachers near the site of the landing and wonder if the strange changes in his appearance and behaviour might be linked to the meteorite. But nothing prepares them for the horrors they uncover deep down in Killburn Mine!
Complete Top Titles 2025 Bundle (24 books)
We know some students find longer books a challenge...
...so we've drawn together collections of shorter books, all recently published with strong characters, engaging plots and interesting themes.
Perfect for children who have mastered basic reading, but who struggle to read for pleasure on a regular basis, or who are held back by dyslexia or visual stress.
With short chapters, eye-friendly paper, dyslexia-friendly fonts and layout, these sets are discounted to make them affordable to as many schools as possible.
SUPER READABLES
10-book bundle
All About Ella
Ella’s teacher has read the poem, “Monday’s Child is fair of face...” to the class. Ella asks her parents which day she was born on. Her brother Sam is very ill and her parents are too busy and anxious to respond, so Ella feels forgotten and neglected. A beautifully plotted story which explores Ella’s complex feelings of loss, anxiety and jealousy of her sick brother.
Reading Age: 7 // Interest level: Years 4-7
All to Play for
This book tackles the increasing expense of football for working class children. Lewis loves football and he’s thrilled when his talent is spotted by coach. His mother blames the game for a family tragedy, and, in any case, there is no way she can afford the proper kit. So will Lewis be able to fulfil his dreams and overcome his mother’s objections? A moving and engaging story.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 4-8
Bruno and Frida
A fascinating and unusual story set just after the Second World War in East Germany in 1945. Bruno and his mother leave their home to escape from the Russian army. Bruno loses his mother and journeys alone to find his grandmother’s house. Towards the end there is an update to 2015 in which Bruno’s experiences are linked to those of Syrian refugees in Germany. This all sounds complicated but the powerful story telling makes it easy to read and children will also find out more about the lives of Germans post war.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 5-8
Meg And Merlin: Making Friends
Meg loves riding but her parents cannot afford a pony or riding lessons. On the morning of her tenth birthday, Meg sees a pony in the front garden. This delightful story describes how it becomes possible for Meg to ride and care for the pony.
Reading Age: 7 // Interest level: Years 4-7
Noodle the Doodle Wins the Day
Another book in a series about the dog at Wigley Primary. Sports Day is unusual this year with events such as frisbee tossing and book balancing! Will Noodle the Doodle spoil the fun or will he win the day? Fast moving, funny and engaging.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 4-7
Song Of The River
A beautiful book about the natural world and the environment. After the death of her father, Cari and her mother move to the country. When their riverside cottage is flooded, they must rebuild their home and café business. They become involved in a plan to reintroduce beavers into the area, but face local opposition. The story has many layers – overcoming grief, starting a new life and facing conflict. Easy to read! Stunning and pacey.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 4-8
Stitched Up
A real page turner about a Vietnamese girl who is abducted to work in a factory producing jeans for export to the West. The horrific real-cost of fast fashion is exposed in this gripping tale of survival. Hanh and others like her are slaves in a cruel and dangerous world and the story is about survival and escape. Probably best for pupils in Years 5 and 6 who have some understanding of child labour. The story is very accessible and pupils will get caught up in its suspense. Will Hanh escape?
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 5-8
Ted Rules the World
Ever since the new Prime Minister was elected, Ted notices that all his ideas seem to be turning into government policy! Ideas such as an extra day off at the weekend! Easy-to-follow and funny plot which also gets children to think about what they would ask the Prime Minister to do.
Reading Age: 7 // Interest level: Years 4-7
The Horror of Dunwick Farm
Another book in the series about friends Pete, Krish and Nancy whose role it is to solve the mysterious happenings in the town of Crooked Oak. An unidentified plane carrying a strange and terrifying cargo has crashed on the outskirts of the town. When people become ill and animals start to act strangely, it’s time for the team to investigate. An exciting, fast paced adventure story.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 4-8
The Raven Riddle
Another book in The Griffin Gate series in which Grace, Ben and their mother teleport around the country to help people in emergencies. Tom Eely is a new recruit to the crime-busting team and his first mission is to help Grace sort out a flock of ravens who are disturbing the lives of people in a small mountain village. The situation turns dangerous and Grace and Tom have to use all their skills and courage to save lives. Fast paced and suspense-filled plot.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 4-8
